Post Your Research Links Here

[bcc]

Skyjay heres my take on the link you shared for us. First of all the term "BridgeMonkeys" was way out of line because were are definantly PIER RATS. As for the boaters that come close to the skyway the rule 100 ft away. Noe if a government official or a contracted company needs to be close to the bridge the boat should either have clear markings on the boat as to who they are and or have a police or coast guard escort with them .And for the people on the pier throwing things that is just not gonna solve any problems with boaters. Unfortunalty with life all groups of people have there few bad apples that shed a bad light on the whole group.
Oh and skyjay i would hate to see you go to jail seein how you have yougins to take care of.

I also remember goingout on the skyway before it was a state park it was the late 80,s but unfortunatly when i started working pier 60 i stop going to the skyway . Even if i did get pretty good with the snooks and sharks on the 60 i very much i spent more timeon the skyway.

[havetofish]

Seen that thread Jay...nothing unusual from those guys, except maybe this time it was a bridge inspector involved. Going Thursday hopefully, but may try and get there with ya on Sat.

BCC,
There is no 100 ft rule anymore.

[bcc]

Oh well thanks for the correction i read that on a document on line last night . I am sorry for putting wrong info on here. Is there any rule on distance from the skyway now? I still think that government or contracted boats should have an escort if by the skyway.

[bcc]

www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/planning/parkplans/SkywayFishingPierStatePark.pdf

Here is the link where i found the info and yes i guess it could be out dated.

[havetofish]

An FWC officer told me that, but who knows if they know what there talking about.

[bcc]

Skyjay i took the term brige monkeys from a post on the link you provided i had no intentions on making anybody think you called us bridge monkeys nor did i think you called us bridge monkeys.
I will be at the Pier Rat Party in spirit seein how i believe i left a big part of me out on the skyway last time i was there.

[montylfl]

300 hundred emails send and continuing.

[montylfl]

I be there on the 30th. Yes time to stand and fight.

What time should we be there?


:

[montylfl]

Yes it does. Going to contact 8 on your side too.

[bret58]

Tried sunshine network and they simply responded
"Thanks, but suggest you direct this to the local news stations as we are
Florida sports cable networks, televising pro and college games and
events, and don't report on these kinds of issues.
"

[Kracker]

i'll see if i can get out there on the 30th.

oh and to be honest i'm sure people will cross over to the east side to fish without even knowing whats going on.

[montylfl]

hey bring the family. The more the merrier. Make a day of it. I thought that is why we have state parks

[bcc]

Well skyjay that 1 jacka** on the pier and that 1 jacka** on a boat ruins it for all of us.

[knottybynature]

www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/weki....202001-2002.pdf

look at pg 8 of 9. This is the 2001 2002 economic impact. We are in district 4. What do ya think?

[ripnlips]

www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/fapg/0650dsup.htm

don't know if this has anything to do with us.

[jab]

that is sad were jerks for paying to fish then they get right were were fishing and they dont expect sinkers.

[dlkpalmetto]

i just got this from CRIST OFFICE TODAY
Cliff Sampson



Dear Mr. Sampson:



Governor Crist received your e-mail dated August 22, 2008, about the closure of the east Skyway fishing piers and asked me to respond to you. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Environmental Protection (FDEP) agencies share in the maintenance of the Skyway fishing piers. We agree with you that the piers represent a tremendous value for the residents and visitors to the area. The safety of the public must be and will always be of utmost importance and for that reason, the Skyway east piers had to be closed permanently. FDOT and FDEP have been in communication about this issue as information was available and determined in the interest of public safety, this action was necessary. Both agencies are also working together to keep the west fishing piers open to the public.



The east Skyway fishing piers had to be closed because we can no longer guarantee they are strong enough to support vehicular or even pedestrian traffic. These piers are composed of concrete beams and piling that were designed and built with early 1950’s technology. After more than fifty years of service and exposure to saltwater conditions which accelerate deterioration of concrete, the east piers have simply exceeded their design life and can no longer benefit from short or long term maintenance. Extensive FDOT studies show that it would not be a good use of taxpayer’s monies to rehabilitate these piers, given other critical transportation needs, especially in tight budgetary times such as those we have been experiencing for several years.



Although FDOT has performed its share of maintenance on the piers, the east piers have reached a point in their service life where maintenance is not an option and thus no further repairs will be implemented. The 1970’s west piers and the crossovers and buildings that were built in the early 1990’s are safe for traffic and pedestrians alike and have been modified to accommodate two-way traffic and parking. The maintenance and replacement needs for these pier structures will also increase as they approach their 50th year of service and the related costs are well beyond available or projected funding. FDOT and FDEP are developing a plan to address those needs, the demolition of the closed piers and other measures that will maximize the use of this valuable recreational facility, which still will remain as the longest park and fishing piers in the world.



If you have any questions or additional comments, please contact Ms. Marian Scorza, District Public Information Officer at 813-975-6038 or [e-mail] at your convenience.



Sincerely,



Donald J. Skelton, P.E.

District Seven Secretary

Florida Department of Transportation